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13 May 2011 03:00

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U.S.: And now, in the “questions we never needed answered” department…

19 Jan 2011 10:31

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U.S.: Gabrielle Giffords improving significantly, could move to rehab facility

  • Everyday Gabby improves and shows higher levels of comprehension and complex actions.
  • Gabrielle Giffords’ mother, Gloria • Revealing that she could be let out of the hospital by Friday and moved to a rehabilitation facility in Houston. Which, if true, would be a miraculous recovery for Giffords, who nearly died after being shot in the head a week and a half ago. She’s been using her husband Mark Kelly’s iPhone and sitting upright. She also gave him a 20-minute neckrub. Hopefully this report isn’t too optimistic.  source

20 Jul 2010 02:00

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U.S.: Protip to BP: Don’t upload high-res images of terrible Photoshops

  • Houston, we have a problem. And that problem is exacerbated by the fact that, um, it’s the worst Photoshop job we’ve ever seen. And the photo they uploaded is 4,800 pixels wide, and is probably going to be viewed in a Web browser, where you can see every painstaking detail of this image. Especially the detail over to the right that we pulled out for you guys – the most obvious one. AMERICAblog has many, many more, and they’re all about as blatant as this. The worst one? The meta info says the photo was taken in 2001 (!?!). source
  • » Update: BP couldn’t let a PR disaster last this long, could it? (Oh wait.) So, of course, BP apologized for its actions. Here’s our update, and our buddy Charles Apple has more.
  • » Second update: AMERICAblog has found another jacked photo. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, it seems. Kudos for the great work, guys.
  • » Third update: Charles Apple sent this story along, and we just have to say … BP is really making themselves out to be an evil corporation, aren’t they?

23 Jun 2010 11:22

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Biz, U.S.: BP’s new oil disaster plan: Command center in Houston

  • We were always going to set up the organization. We have across the Gulf Coast, people that are there, temporary, rotating in and out. We’re going to bed this down now. We’re in for the long haul and we’re going to make sure that it’s sustained and efficient.
  • BP top staffer Robert Dudley • Regarding his role in the oil spill cleanup, along with the changes BP is making. The company has put together a command center, based in Houston (a bit off, but close enough), to deal with the spill. Why? And why now? Dudley says they needed “a more sustainable organization” to see things through. We have to agree with that. They’ve looked pretty disorganized so far. source

26 Mar 2010 16:33

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Offbeat: Protip to TV news anchors: Don’t reach across the desk

  • “I’m FINE. I’m fine, I’m fine.” This isn’t nearly as amazing as keep ducking that chicken, but really, not a lot is. Still though, this lady’s desire to pinch her co-worker totally got the best of her, but she managed to dust herself off and try again.

13 Dec 2009 11:02

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U.S.: Houston mayor-elect Annise Parker carries the gay-rights torch, too

  • Houston is a multiracial, multicultural, international city. And I think my election will send a message to the world that Houston is a city that might surprise a lot of folks.
  • Houston mayor-elect Annise Parker • Discussing her sexual orientation (she’s gay), along with the possibility of being the new mayor of Houston, prior to a runoff election that she won. This is a big deal for a number of reasons. First off, Houston is the fourth-largest city in the country, which means that it’s the largest city in the country to elect a gay mayor. Secondly, it was in a city which just a few years ago barred benefits for partners of same-sex workers. Finally, Texas is a really conservative state. So her election is a huge win for the gay rights movement. source

04 Dec 2009 10:29

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U.S.: WHOA GUYS! IT’S SNOWING IN HOUSTON!!!!! HOLY (#(^!

In Houston, they don’t know what to do with snow, so you see hilariously unfortunate scenes such as this guy holding an umbrella in defeat, covered in sleet. source
 

24 Sep 2009 19:40

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U.S.: The SPCA made their biggest bust ever in Houston today

  • 1,045 animals in one home, including a pony source

10 May 2009 14:13

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Sports: Alas, poor Yao. The Houston Rockets are screwed in the playoffs

Just when they need him most, the Rockets franchise player, Yao Ming, has a foot fracture and will be out for the playoffs. Oof. source